The Homo sapiens who visited the Toronto Zoo last year were more likely to walk into a door or trip over their own feet than be bitten by one of the zoo’s animals.

The zoo’s annual report on visitor safety is a seven-page serving of mostly mundane and bizarre injuries that befell those who visited the savannahs and tundras of northeast Scarborough in 2012. There was a man who cut himself while preparing lunch, 26 children who fell off benches, rocks, statues and wagons and an adult who was hit by an umbrella that became dislodged in high winds. Of the 118 accidents in 2012, only four involved the zoo’s animals.

“We’re happy that we’ve designed the zoo so well that you really have to try to hurt yourself at the zoo,” said zoo board member and Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker (Scarborough Centre).

De Baeremaeker keeps a collection of the yearly reports in his library and considers them to be of similar calibre to America’s Funniest Home Videos.

“There’s nobody being eaten by tigers or stepped on by elephants or chased by antelope. There are people literally walking into glass doors at the Harvey’s,” he said, noting that speaks highly of the zoo’s safety record.

He hadn’t heard specific details but, based on his general knowledge, compared the injuries with those sustained when one is bitten by a small cat. Zoo officials were not available to elaborate Tuesday evening.

De Baeremaeker said there was always debate about whether the zoo should have the exhibit, but he loved it because it gives people the chance to “touch a living creature.” The exhibit is now closed to make more room for the panda exhibit.

“I don’t know how that person found the thorn, and I don’t know how they stuck it in their hand. I’ve been there for 10 years, and I’d be hard pressed to find out how you can do that, but obviously somebody did,” said De Baeremaeker, who noted that there may have been worries about an allergic reaction.

A thorough reporting system helps create a safer environment and limit legal liability for the taxpayer, De Baeremaeker said. The yearly report is “due diligence.” Anomalies are examined for ways to improve safety.

For instance, slip and falls on the zoo’s pathways and splash pad both decreased in 2012. The report credits staff for identifying repair sites on the paths and additional vigilance for “boisterous play” at the splash pad.

Sometimes there are no preventative measures to avoid calamity such as the adult who accidentally put sunscreen in his or her eyes in 2010.

The report will be presented at the zoo board meeting Friday.

“Sometimes, I have to say, there is a bit of chuckling from the zoo board members when you hear that somebody sat down on a chair that their brother took from them and they just fell down,” he said. “Well I hope nobody is hurt but that is sort of funny.”

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